Game day: UNLV escapes Fresno with 67-65 win

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Published Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024 | 2 a.m.

Updated Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024 | 10:15 p.m.

The Scarlet and Gray had to hold their collective breath on the final possessions, but UNLV held on for a 67-65 win at Fresno State.

The Bulldogs got a couple tries at a go-ahead 3, but both came up empty. Brooklyn Hicks rushed Leo Colimerio into an off-balance miss with 23 seconds left, then after UNLV committed a turnover in the backcourt, Xavier DuSell had a look from the corner to win it, but his shot was off line as time expired.

UNLV has now won five straight games to improve to 7-4 in the Mountain West and 14-9 overall. Kevin Kruger has his team just one game out of first place in the loss column with a showdown against UNR set for Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Rob Whaley led UNLV with 17 points and five rebounds, while D.J. Thomas chipped in 11 points, including a clutch leaner to pad UNLV's lead with two minutes left.

UNLV holding slim 62-60 lead at Fresno State

UNLV continues to make shots, but with 4:006 remaining it's still anyone's game, as the Scarlet and Gray lead Fresno State by a slim, 62-60 margin.

Offense hasn't been an issue in the second half, as UNLV has made 64.7% as a team (11-of-17). Rob Whaley has been particularly effective, carving out space inside to score a team-high 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Kalib Boone has 15 points on 6-of-9 from the field.

Despite that efficiency, UNLV hasn't been able to separate. Fresno State has committed just three turnovers all night, and those extra possessions are keeping the Bulldogs within striking distance despite shooting 43.8% in the second half.

UNLV is either going to have to stay hot on offense, or figure out a way to get some stops if they want to notch their fifth straight win. 

UNLV extends 3-point streak; Fresno State hanging around

UNLV got the streak out of the way, now they've just got to worry about winning the game. With 11:39 remaining, the Scarlet and Gray have pulled ahead of Fresno State, 50-44.

After a lackluster start to the second half, Kevin Kruger's guys have made seven straight field-goal attempts to create the tiniest bit of separation on the scoreboard. Part of that run was a 3-pointer from D.J. Thomas, which extended UNLV's streak of consecutive games with at least one made triple to 1,216.

Fresno State is still battling, though. The injury-depleted Bulldogs have played two of their starters the entire game, and another has less than a minute of rest, but they continue to grind, shooting 4-of-8 since the break to hang around.

Keylan Boone leads UNLV with 13 points, while Kalib Boone has 12. The twins have combined to make 9-of-16 from the field.

UNLV empty from 3-point range, trails Fresno at half

That was a rough first half for UNLV. The Scarlet and Gray looked uninspired on both ends of the court, and Frenso State took advantage by building a 32-29 lead at the break.

UNLV swarmed Fresno on the defensive end the last time these two teams met, forcing 21 turnovers in a comfortable, 78-69 win. Fresno has done a much better job of taking care of the ball tonight, committing just two giveaways while shooting 46.4% from the field. Forward Leo Colimerio has been particularly difficult to cover, going for a game-high 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting.

Offensively, the Scarlet and Gray went through the motions without good results. Repeated attempts to post up were rebuffed, as a lack of outside shooting has allowed Fresno defenders to pack the paint. UNLV is 0-of-5 from deep; someone will need to make a triple in the next 20 minutes to extend the school's record streak of 1,215 consecutive games with a made 3-pointer.

Keylan Boone has 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting, but it's been a stagnant night on the offensive end, as UNLV has just one assist on its 12 made baskets.

Kevin Kruger will have to find a way to up the team's energy level in the second half, or the Scarlet and Gray could be sent home with a disappointing defeat.

UNLV, Fresno State tied in first half

Fresno State is on a 7-0 run, and with 6:31 left in the first half we are tied, 20-20.

UNLV isn't dominating the Bulldogs defensively the way they did in the last meeting between the teams just a couple weeks ago. In that blowout win, UNLV forced 21 turnovers; tonight, Fresno has only given it away two times and hit 9-of-18 from the field (50.0%).

Rob Whaley will shoot a pair of free throws after the timeout, but the real story is at the other end of the floor, where UNLV will have to raise the defensive intensity.

UNLV basketball takes early lead at Fresno State

Keylan Boone has been hot right from the tip, and UNLV has a 14-11 lead at Fresno State with 12:39 left in the first half.

Boone has made both of his shot attempts, swishing a pair of mid-range jumpers, and he also worked his way to the free-throw line and made both to give him six early points.

At the defensive end, UNLV has had some missteps when trying to corral Fresno's pick-and-roll, leading to a couple of easy layups for forward Leo Colimerio, who also has six points.

It's also worth noting that Shane Nowell was the first UNLV player off the bench; that could be a good sign that the junior swingman is getting healthy in time to contribute this season.

UNLV takes winning streak to Fresno State

No one in the Mountain West is hotter than the UNLV basketball team right now, and the Scarlet and Gray will take their four-game winning streak to Fresno on Wednesday as they look to continue their climb up the conference standings.

Can they keep the victories coming? Three keys to watch:

D.J. does it

More than two-thirds of the way through the season, this is a time when a true freshman should be hitting the wall.

Don’t tell that to D.J. Thomas.

UNLV’s first-year phenom only seems to be getting better as his freshman campaign rolls on, as evidenced by his masterpiece 26-point performance in a win at New Mexico on Saturday. Thomas made 8-of-12 from the field, dished out four assists and played good defense while logging 38 minutes.

It’s tough to ask for more than that, but Thomas keeps reaching new heights and setting the bar higher. And it’s having a positive effect on the team, as UNLV appears to be rounding into form just in time for the stretch run.

Fifth-year senior Luis Rodriguez is impressed with the way Thomas has taken control of the team.

“At his young age, what he’s provided for our team and how much of an impact he’s had for us so far, it’s good. It’s really great,” Rodriguez said. “Especially knowing he should be a senior in high school, it’s even more impressive.”

Get tough

Since going to a super-sized starting lineup, UNLV has looked like a new team, notching four straight wins while pummeling opponents into submission.

Defensively, the Scarlet and Gray have held those four teams to 41.8% shooting while forcing 55 turnovers (13.8 per game). Rodriguez has been a big part of that surge, as he has used his length to harass opposing ballhandlers while also pulling down a team-high 6.9 rebounds per contest.

He said he can feel a palpable shift when UNLV’s physicality begins to take its toll on the other team.

“You see it,” Rodriguez said. “Whether that’s boxing guys out or just making the extra effort plays, getting 50/50 balls, I see that as being physical. It takes physicality to go get ‘em. Rebounding the ball at a high level, tagging guys on defense and just hitting somebody, [you’re] making sure your presence is felt.”

Fresno State is a big, physical team as well, and the Bulldogs have already faced UNLV this season, so they won’t be caught off guard by UNLV’s bully-ball approach. Look for Wednesday’s showdown in Fresno to be one ofthe most rough-and-tumble games of the year.

Standings watch

This is a big game for UNLV, as the team’s winning streak has launched them back into the thick of the Mountain West race.

At 6-4 in MWC play (13-9 overall), the Scarlet and Gray are currently tied for sixth place, but just one game out of first in the loss column. UNLV is likely to be favored in its next three contests, and if Kevin Kruger’s squad manages to keep winning, they could make a real run at the top spot.

Kruger said the difference between winning and losing is incredibly thin, and that UNLV has to continue to make the little plays if they want to stay in contention.

“You see all the close games that go on in the conference,” Kruger said. “It’s just one team edging out a couple more than the next. A couple good bounces, couple good breaks, couple shots to fall and you’re going to find yourself in a really good spot.

“At the same time, you’re just as far from the top as you are from the bottom, it feels like. It’s an incredibly competitive conference.”

Who: UNLV (13-9, 6-4 MWC) at Fresno State (11-13, 4-7 MWC)

When: Wednesday, 8 p.m.

Where: Save Mart Center (Fresno, Calif.)

TV: CBS Sports Network

Radio: 1100 AM, 100.9 FM

UNLV leaders

Scoring

D.J. Thomas: 12.5 points

Rebounds

Luis Rodriguez: 6.9 rebounds

Assists

D.J. Thomas: 6.1 assists

Fresno State leaders

Scoring

Isaiah Hill: 12.3 points

Rebounds

Enoch Boakye: 8.5 rebounds

Assists

Isaiah Hill: 6.6 assists

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.